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Trial Trench
Date January 2001
Event ID 547444
Category Recording
Type Trial Trench
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/547444
NJ 802 274 The development area lies immediately W of the late medieval town of Oldmeldrum and covers an area of approximately 9.5ha. A possible ring-ditch is recorded in the NMRS (NJ 82 NW 121) as a cropmark feature situated close to Coutens farmhouse some 50m outwith the development area. Aerial photographs show a system of rig and furrow agriculture and possible old field boundaries.
Trial trenching in January 2001 located few artefacts or features of archaeological significance, with the exception of isolated pits of unspecified date, and a single pit which has been dated to the recent past as it contained a fragment of modern china. These features probably represent the results of modern agricultural processes. The finds recovered from the features are consistent with post-medieval midden-spreading agricultural practices. A single flake of flint was recovered from within a drain fill and may have been derived locally.
The general shallow depth of the topsoil and the presence of ploughmarks scored into the subsoil surface may indicate that any less substantial features previously present would have been ploughed out.
Report to be lodged with the NMRS.
Sponsor: Robertson Group (Construction) Ltd.
K Cameron 2001
